The Plates Your Kids Eat Off Matter More Than You Think
The Plates Your Kids Eat Off Matter More Than You Think
We talk a lot about what goes on our kids’ plates.
But we don’t talk enough about the plate itself.
Here are two wonderful options for dinnerware:
And for kids I love:
Here’s why this matters.
Lead and Heavy Metals in Dinnerware
Many people assume that if something is sold in a major store, it must be safe.
That is not always true.
Some ceramic dishes, especially vintage pieces, imported pottery, brightly colored glazes, or chipped plates, can contain lead or other heavy metals in the glaze.
If the glaze is improperly fired, damaged, or worn down over time, those metals can leach into food.
Acidic foods like tomato sauce, citrus, or vinegar can increase that leaching.
And kids are far more vulnerable to lead exposure than adults.
Even low levels of lead can impact developing brains.
There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
What I Avoid
• Vintage ceramic or hand painted pottery for everyday food use
• Brightly colored glazes from unknown sources
• Chipped or cracked ceramic
• Plastic kids’ plates that can degrade over time
Simple is usually safer.
The goal is not fear. It’s awareness.
We already work so hard to buy better food, filter our water, and clean up our homes. The surface our kids eat off every single day should be part of that conversation.